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Step Up Your Small Changes This FAB-U-ARY

Today is February 14th…but this post has nothing to do with Valentines Day…so…

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!! <3 

Click here and here for the perfect Valentines Day recipes!

Now moving on…literally!

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Living in New York City, I walk A LOT. I don’t wear a pedometer (but it can definitely be encouraging — aim for 10,000 steps per day!), so I can’t talk numbers, but I try to leave some extra time to walk most places.

But when the polar vortex swoons, it’s easy to hop in the subway or just take a cab (caaa-chinggg). I make a point to bundle up so I’m not frozen when I’m walking 20 blocks (1 mile) or less in the winter!

Exercise doesn’t have to be a complicated gym membership or expensive boutique classes. Just try WALKING! Simple as that! Walking slims your thighs, without building bulk some women complain of, gets your metabolism going, aids digestion, and is a great way to burn nervous energy! Here are some other benefits of regular exercise: IMG_3049

    • Boosts your confidence!
    • Clears your head.
    • Wards off a cold.
    • Great social experience!

This week I challenge you to take more steps! Whether you walk to the next subway station or park your car further, here are FIVE small changes to add more activity into your life…Just Do It

5. Commercial-cise! Whether you’re marching in place, doing squats, or jumping jacks, skip the Tivo and use commercials to your advantage. You no longer need a big cardio machine to keep you going while watching tv! Did you miss the first season of Toned Up! on Bravo? Watch this motivational reality show on iTunes and you’ll be jumping off the couch in no time!

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4. Take the stairs every time you’re climbing 5 flights or less. I made this pact at the beginning of the month and feel myself getting stronger…I’ve even started walking DOWN every time I leave my apartment (on the 11th floor!).
3. Tone Up! (With at least 2 strength training sessions/week — 30 minutes each) Many people think lifting weights will bulk you up, but it adds LEAN muscle mass that wards off osteoporosis, boosts your metabolism at rest (more than cardio!), and helps you burn fat faster. Try a yoga or pilates class or create a simple circuit routine you can do in your living room with water bottles as weights (check out youtube.com for great ideas).
2. Replace one meal out with an activity. Whether you hit up a great dance class or go to a local indoor rock climbing gym, make your next social engagement an active one. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes to cardiovascular exercise per week.Dance Class
1. Try something new that gets you moving!!! I’ve spoken before about how I love Tracy Anderson workouts and encourage you all to find some of her youtube videos to try it out…I promise you you’ll feel the burn and see your body change (for the better!).
**As always, consult your physician before starting a new exercise routine!**
If all 5 of these changes are too much for one week, implement *ONE* every week for the next five weeks until more activity is your norm! Your heart, metabolism, and future will thank you!!!!
Which (or all) of these small changes are you going to make this week??? Let me know in the comments section below, or tag your fit pics on Instagram with #CitNutritionally!

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